Bridle-bit.



PATENTED APR. 21, 1906.

'3 M. PETERS. ERIDLB BIT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13. 1902 2 SHEETS SHEET 1.

No. 818,781. PATENTED APR. 24, 1906. G. M. PETERS.

BRIDLE BIT.

APBLIGATION FILED JAN.13, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BRIDLE-BIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 24, 1906.

Application filed n ry 13, 1902. Serial No. 89,606.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GERSHOM Moos]; Pnrnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Bridle-Bit, of which the following is a spewification.

This invention relates to bridle-bits.

The object of the invention is to provide a bit of simple construction and arrangement which under ordinary circumstances and with a docile animal will be comfortable, but in an emergency and in use with a vicious animal may be easily converted into a severe bit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bit of the character referred to wherein the bit is free in its action and may be rendered severe readily and easily when the exigem-y therefor arises.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists, substantially, in the construction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, and to the various views and reference-signs appearing thereon, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bit embodying the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the bit turned one-quarter up from the position thereof shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of the emergency part of the bit and which is adapted to be brought into commission for use as a severe bit to control an unruly or vicious animal when the exigency therefor arises. Fig. 4 is an end view from the outside showing the face of one of the bit-supporting rings and also showing the link-forming part of or connected to the inner or emergency part of the bit. Fig. 5 is a view in section on the line 5 5, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the inside face of one of the bitsupporting rings and with the emergency part of the bit in retracted or closed position. Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, showing the emergency-bit withdrawn or in the position thereof occupied when the emergency part of the bit is in use. Fig. 7 is a broken View in side elevation showing the application of my invention to a bit for a double team. Fig. 8

is a top plan view, parts broken off, of the emergency part of the bit shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is an end view of the construction shown in Fig. 7.

The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

The bit is composed of two relatively movable parts, the one part indicated generally by reference-sign A in Fig. 1 and the other part by reference-sign C in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 6. The part A is composed of the portions B. These portions are suitably separated from each other to leave a space therebetween, in which space the relatively movable part C is received. The portions B are preferably straight and, if desired, may be of any suitable shape in cross-section. In the form shown said portions B are curved or rounded eXteriorly and the part O of the bit is (in the particular form shown) flat, and when received fully home in its place between the portions B the complete bit presents a circular exterior contour. l/Vhile I do not desire to be limited or restricted in these respects, the construction shown affords a most convenient arrangement and a comfortable form of bit to the animal when the emergency or relatively movable part O of the bit is not required for use. I will hereinafter refer to this part of the bit as the inner part, inasmuch as it is received within or between the outer portions B, and, in effect, constitutes a bit within a bit. The inner bit should be of sufficient width and thickness to completely fill the space between the portions B of the outer bit, while being permitted a free and easy movement into or out of its seat.

Reference-sign D designates rings or plates which maybe cast with, riveted, brazed, or otherwise secured to the ends of the portions B of the bit and which may afford means for attaching the head and hitching straps thereto.

Any suitable means for securing the relative movement of portions O of the bit may be employed. I have shown a simple, inexpensive, and efficient means for accomplishing this object, but to which I do not desire to be limited or restricted, wherein I provide the inner bit C with arms F at the ends thereof, which arms may be cast with or otherwise secured or attached to the portion C, and which are arranged to project at right angles therefrom. These arms are arranged to be received in suitable guideways, formed by the lugs J in the inner face of rings or plates D in order to afford a guiding-bearing for said arms. At their outer ends, which project beyond the rings or plates D, the arms F carry links G, which afford means for attaching the reins to the bit. Suitable shoulders S, formed on or carried by the arms F and which in contact with the rings or plates D, as at T, serve as limiting-stops to limit the movement of the portion 0 of the bit in onedirection. The movement of the portion C of the bit in the opposite direction may be yieldingly opposed in any convenient manner. I have shown a simple arrangement wherein stout springs I are employed and arranged in suitable relation to yieldingly maintain the portion C or inner portion of the bit housed within the space between the portions B of the bit, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, but which permit the portion C of the bit to be Withdrawn from between the portions B when the eXigency therefor arises, and as shown in Fig. 6. The tension of springs I may be applied in many different ways. In the particular form shown I employ bowsprings, having their ends 0 received within recesses (indicated. at Q) formed in the plates or rings D or in the web portion of said rings or plates. The cover portion, which forms the recesses or chambers Q, is cut away, as at R, to permit the ends of the springs to be snapped into place within said recesses. The ends 0 of the springs bear against the rounded surface of lugs P, so as to form a rocking or sliding fulcrum-bearing for said ends to permit the easy movement thereof during the operation of the device. The side rings or plates may be provided with strengthening-ribs N to impart strength thereto, and said ribs at convenient points may be provided with shoulders U to form limiting-stops for the springs I. Intermediate their ends the springs I are arranged to engage in any suitable manneras, for instance, in slots or notches H formed in arms F.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple compound bit composed of relatively movable parts, and by forming the springs I of suitable strengthsay, for instance, to oppose a pressure of twenty or twenty five poundsit will require the expenditure of such pressure to withdraw the movable section C of the bit from its housed relation with respect to the portions B of said bit. It will also be seen that the space between the portions B of the bit is entirely open at both sides, thereby preventing the accumulation of dirt or other obstruction within this space and permitting the free movement of the inner section C of the bit therein. The limiting shoulders or stops U prevent the entire withdrawal of the section C of the bit from between the portions B, thereby avoiding danger of pinching the lips or tongue of the animal when the withdrawing pressure is removed.

By the use of a compound bit such as above described I secure control of a vicious horse, at the same time effording an easy and comfortable bit in the case of a docile animal. The usual severe bit is constantly annoying and hurtful to the mouth of the animal, so that there is not sufficient difference between the bit when the animal is well behaved and when the animal is vicious to promote the best training of the animal. On the other hand, the ordinary comfortable bit is not sufficiently severe in emergency to control a hard-mouthed or headstrong animal, and, moreover, the ordinary bit, whether a comfortable bit or a severe bit, will not prevent the horse from taking the bit in his teeth, in which case the driver becomes helpless. In the case ofa bit embodying my in vention and comprising a compound or double bit-that is, a bit inclosed within a bitthe inclosed or inner bit being severe and adapted to be used only in an emergency or when the horse shows a tendency to bolt, is free in its action at all times, although the outer portion of the bit may be firmly held in the teeth of the animal.

It will be seen, as above indicated, that the rings or plates D may afford means, as at L, for attaching the head-strap of the bridle and, as at M, for attaching the hitching-strap. It will also be seen that the ends 0 of the springs I are slightly bent to afiord a rolling contact with the fulcrum points or bearings, as indi cated at P, and to furnish additional security against the tilting of the springs sidewise, said ends being inclosed or housed in the cavities or recesses Q sufficiently close to prevent the turning of the springs.

Thus it will be seen that a compound bit embodying my invention affords a very comfortable and easy bit for all ordinary purposes, but that when the horse starts to run a pull of twenty or twentyfive pounds upon the reins brings the thin edge of the inner bit against the mouth of the animal already stretched by the pressure of the outer bit, so that the .ac tion is very painful, causing an instant halt, and if the horse has a habit of seizing the bit in his teeth then the outer portions B of the bit will be held, while the inner bit is free to be used in effecting his control.

In the case of double teams the cross-reins from the bridle-lines or other parts of the harness of one horse which is to be attached to the bit of the other horse may sometimes develop an undesirable degree of friction or binding upon the movable or emergency part of the bit, and hence prevent the same from being easily operated when required for use. In Figs. 7, 8, and 9 I have shown an adaptation of my invention which avoids the obj ection noted and wherein the links G instead of being formed on or carried at the outer ends of arms F are located nearer to the portion C or the inner ends of the arms F. In this arrangement a lug G may be cast or otherwise formed on or secured to the arms F adjacent to the inner ends thereof and upon which the links G are secured or mounted. These lugs extend through and play back and forth in slots Vin the plates or rings D, the ends of said slots forming stops to limit the movement of the emergency portion C of the bit. A convenient arrangement for forming the slots V is shown wherein the rings or plates D are made in two parts, which are adapted to be assembled with the meeting edges thereof overlapping, except for the cut-away portions forming the slots V and said overlapping edges being suitably riveted or otherwise secured together, as at X, reference-sign IV in dicating the line of division or separation of the two portions of the plate. In this form of my invention I secure a better purchase on the emergency portion of the bit from the cross-reins in the case of a double team and a more even distribution of the friction over the whole bearing-surface of the emergency part of the bit when the pull is exerted thereon at an angle.

It is obvious that many variations and changes in the details of construction and arrangement would readily occur to persons skilled in the art and still fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. I do not desire, therefore, to be limited or restricted to the exact details shown and described; but,

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction em bodying the principles thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a compound bit the combination of side members, having guides, a main bit portion, comprising spaced members disposed between the side members, a movable bit adapted to engage the guides and move between the said spaced members, and yielding means disposed between the side members and the movable bit for normally holding the latter entirely within the main bit portion to close the space formed between the members thereof.

2. In a compound bit the combination of side members, having guideways, a main bit portion comprising spaced members disposed between the side members, the space formed thereby being in a direct line with the guides, a movable bit normally standing entirely within the main bit, and a yielding member disposed between the side members and the moving bit for normally holding the latter seated in the main bit, said moving bit being adapted to be unseated from the main bit and moved through the guides against the tension of the yielding member.

3. In a compound bit, the combination with inner and outer bit portions, the outer bit portions arranged in parallel relation and suitably separated from each other to form a free open space therebetween, the inner bit portion adapted to be received in said open space, end rings or plates connected to the ends of said outer bit portions and having guides formed therein, laterally-extending arms connected to said inner bit portion and operating in said guides, whereby said movable portion is permitted to move laterally and in parallel relation with respect to said outer bit portion and means for yieldingly maintaining said inner bit portion in housed or closed relation with respect to said outer bit portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a compound bit, inner and outer bit portions, said outer bit portions being separated from each other to form a space therebetween adapted to receive the inner bit portion and permitting the withdrawal thereof laterally from and in parallel relation to said outer bit portion, end rings connected to said outer bit portions, and springs mounted on the inner faces of said end rings or plates and arranged to exert their tension upon said in ner bit portion to normally maintain the same in housed relation with respect to said outer bit portion, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a compound bit, inner and outer bit portions, the outer bit portions being separated to form a space therebetween adapted to receive the inner bit portion, laterally-extending arms carried by the ends of said i11- ner bit portion and carrying links to afford means for attaching the reins thereto, guides in which said arms are received and yielding means arranged to exert a tension upon said inner bit portion to maintain the same in housed relation but permitting the withdrawal thereof laterally and in parallel relation with respect to said outer bit portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a compound bit, the combination of inner and outer bit portions, the outer bit portions being suitably separated from each other to form a space therebetween adapted to receive therein the inner bit portion, rings or plates carried by the ends of said outer bit portions, said rings or plates having transverse guides on the inner faces thereof, laterally-extending arms connected to the ends of the inner bit portion and received in said guides, and springs mounted in said rings or plates and arranged to engage said arms to yieldingly maintain said inner bit portion in housed relation but permitting the withdrawal thereof laterally and in parallel relation with respect to said outer bit portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

7.. In a compound bit, the combination with inner and outer bit portions mounted for relative movement, and plates connected to said outer bit portions and having recesses 'or cavities on the inner faces thereof, bowsprings having their ends adapted to be received in said recesses or cavities and arranged to engage said inner bit portion to yieldingly maintain the same in inclosed or housed relation but permitting the WithdraWal thereof laterally and in parallel relation With respect to said outer bit portions, as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a compound bit, the combination of inner and outer bit portions, end rings carried by said outer bit portions and having openings therethrough, laterally-extending arms connected to the inner bit portion and having lugs extending through said openings, and links carried by said lugs, to form means for attaching the reins thereto, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination in a compound bit, of an inner and an outer portion, end rings or plates carried by the outer portion and having guideways formed therein and openings therethrough, arms carried by the inner bit portion and received in said guideways, lugs carried by said arms and arranged to extend through said openings, links carried by said lugs, and means for yieldingly maintaining said bit portions in housed relation With respect to each other, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a compound bit, inner and outer bit portions, end rings or plates carried by said outer bit portions and made in sections adapted to be secured together to form openings therethrough, means for yieldingly main,- taining said inner bit portion in housed relation With respect to the outer portion, lugs connected to said inner bit portion and extending through said openings, and links carried by said lugs to afford means for attaching the reins thereto, as and for the purpose set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2d day of January, 1902, in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses.

GERSHOM MOORE PETERS.

Witnesses:

E. R. MEROKEL, C. GOULI'J. 

